Mike Roche with Samuel Snodgrass for Stonewall OutLoud

Description

Mike tells Sam about growing up Irish Catholic in Detroit, training to be a priest, coming to terms with his sexuality while in the church, and leading Dignity Detroit (a group for gay Catholics) in the early 70s. Mike describes how he eventually moved to Chicago in 1979 and became aware of the AIDS epidemic in 1983. He narrates that period of his life in detail, including the names of friends he lost, and ways he still honors the dead. Mike also describes gay social life in Chicago in the 80s-90s, and his own form of "quiet social activism" as a social worker, volunteer, and support group leader for over 30 years. He concludes by talking about the joy he finds in being with fellow LGBT seniors today, many of whom have known each other for decades.

Participants

• Samuel Snodgrass
  
• George Garcia
  
• Karen Morris
  

Interview By

• Karen Morris